2025 Donald Aird Composers Competition
PRIZE INCREASED TO $1,500 IN 2025!
Deadline: APRIL 30, 2025 11:59 PDT
More Information: fred@earplay.org
Earplay sponsors the annual Earplay Donald Aird Composers Competition, open to composers of any nationality and any age. Earplay performs the prizewinning piece and presents a cash prize of $1,500 to the winning composer. The competition honors the late composer/conductor/Earplay board member Donald Aird, an ardent supporter of the creation and performance of new music.
You can submit an Aird competition application electronically or by mail. Please send an e-mail if you have questions or comments.
Compositions
Works are limited to 1 to 6 players (at most 1 of each, e.g., not 2 violins) from Earplay's ensemble:
-
flute/piccolo/alto flute/bass flute
-
clarinet/bass clarinet
-
piano
-
violin
-
viola
-
cello
Works may include electronics.
Works may be of any duration (8-15 minutes preferred).
Works may have been previously performed.
Each composer may submit any number of pieces.
Award
Cash prize: $1,500.
Performance by Earplay during our 2025-2026 season.
Earplay will announce the winner in Summer 2025.
All entries will be considered for future performance.
Application
Earplay strongly encourages you to use the online application, which you can utilize even if you intend to mail some parts of your application (composer bio, score, program note, recording, or payment). Sorry, mailed application materials cannot be returned. Recordings are not required but are recommended.
Anonymity
Each submitted score must have all composer identification removed so that the competition jury receives no information about the composer when it reviews the score.
We strongly prefer audio-only files. If you wish to submit video, the video must have all composer identification removed, and it cannot be posted on an identifiable website, YouTube channel, etc. Consider using one of the widely available applications to record system audio from video in order to create an audio-only file.
Only the competition administrator sees the submitted composer information, bio, and program note. If a program note is included as part of the score, the note should not provide identification data (academic affiliation, premiere personnel, etc.).
Checklist
-
Completed online application
-
Audio recording (not required but recommended)
-
Brief composer biography
-
Score (all composer identification removed)
-
Brief program note (not required but recommended)
-
Application fee US $30 per score (credit card, PayPal, Venmo or check payable to Earplay)
